Constitutive Modeling of Soft Materials: Wormlike Micelles
Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules into various supramolecular nano-structural aggregates has drawn the attention of chemists, physicists, and engineers in recent decades.
research
Fracture toughening and toughness asymmetry induced by flexoelectricity
Cracks generate the largest strain gradients that any material can withstand. Flexoelectricity (coupling between strain gradient and polarization) must therefore play an important role in fracture physics. Here we use a self-consistent continuum model to evidence two consequences of flexoelectricity in fracture: the resistance to fracture increases as structural size decreases, and it becomes asymmetric with respect to the sign of polarization. The latter phenomenon manifests itself in a range of intermediate sizes where piezo- and flexoelectricity compete.
Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Biomaterials and Implants: Special issue of J Mech Behav Biomed Mater
Additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a powerful technique for manufacturing of various types of biomaterials and implants. Using AM, it is now possible to fabricate biomaterials with arbitrarily complex shapes at different scales. The inventory of biomaterials that can be used in this way continues to increase, extending the possible range of products and applications.
Work of adhesion/separation between soft elastomers of different mixing ratios
Adhesion between soft matter is a universal mechanical problem in bio-engineering and bio-integration. The Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) method is widely used to measure the work of adhesion and work of separation between soft materials.
Conformability of a Thin Elastic Membrane Laminated on a Rigid Substrate With Corrugated Surface
When laminating a thin elastic membrane on a substrate with surface roughness, three scenarios can happen: 1) fully conformed, i.e., the membrane completely follows the surface morphology of the substrate without any interfacial gap; 2) partially conformed; and 3) nonconformed, i.e., the membrane remains flat if gravity is not concerned.
Reinforced Concrete Strength
The composite strength of Reinforced Concrete which is a mixture of two main materials can be calculated by the formula given by Tsai : X=(vf+vm*Em/Ef)*Xf where vf is the fiber (steel) fraction and vm is the concrete (cement+sands+gravels) fraction. Xf is the yield strength of Steel and Xm is the compressive strength of the Concrete matrix. For the application case: vf=0.01911, vm=0.98089, Xf=270 MPa, Xm=40 MPa, Ef=207.000 GPa, Em=30.798 GPa we obtain X=44.563 MPa.
Shape Bifurcation of a Spherical Dielectric Elastomer Balloon under the Actions of Internal Pressure and Electric Voltage
Under the actions of internal pressure and electric voltage, a spherical dielectric elastomer balloon usually keeps a sphere during its deformation, which has also been assumed in many previous studies. In this article, using linear perturbation analysis, we demonstrate that a spherical dielectric elastomer balloon may bifurcate to a nonspherical shape under certain electromechanical loading conditions.
EML Special Issue on 3D Assembly by Cutting, Bending and Folding
EML Special Issue on 3D Assembly by Cutting, Bending and Folding
When patterned with different materials, gradients or cut-outs, thin structures such as sheets and rods can bend or fold either spontaneously or by actuation in response to a force or stimulus to form a pre-designed three dimensional structure. This special issue addresses the design and mechanics of these structures with a special emphasis on programmability and non-linearity.
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